Health guides in plain English
All-Med is an independent guide to everyday health, common conditions and medicines. Every article is written from the published guidance of public health bodies such as the World Health Organization, the CDC and the NHS, and says clearly when a symptom needs a doctor.
Alongside the core topics, our Casino & Health section looks at the health side of casinos and betting: sleep on round-the-clock schedules, screen strain, stress and travel to resort cities. The newest guides are listed below.
How to Prepare for a Doctor's Appointment
- Section : Medicines & Care
- Reading time : 2 min
- Based on : NHS, US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
- Published : 2026-10-26
Appointments are short. How to describe symptoms clearly, what to bring, which questions to ask and why being open about sleep, work, alcohol and habits leads to better care.
Casino Cruises: Medical Care at Sea and Travel Insurance
- Section : Casino & Health
- Reading time : 3 min
- Based on : CDC Vessel Sanitation Program, Cruise Lines International Association
- Published : 2026-10-17
Ship medical centres can treat many problems, but serious illness may need evacuation and costs can be very high. What care at sea covers, why insurance matters and how to stay well on board.
How to Read a Medical Bill and an Insurance Claim
- Section : Medicines & Care
- Reading time : 3 min
- Based on : Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, US Department of Health and Human Services
- Published : 2026-10-08
Itemised bills, explanation of benefits, CPT and ICD codes and claim forms explained, plus how to spot errors and what protections exist against surprise bills in the US.
Cold or Flu? When to Rest and When to See a Doctor
- Section : Conditions
- Reading time : 2 min
- Based on : CDC, World Health Organization
- Published : 2026-09-29
Colds come on gradually; flu hits suddenly with fever and aches. How to tell them apart, what helps, who should get a flu vaccine and when to seek medical care.
Staying Healthy on a Las Vegas Trip: Heat, Hydration and Sleep
- Section : Casino & Health
- Reading time : 3 min
- Based on : CDC, US National Weather Service
- Published : 2026-09-20
Las Vegas sits in the Mojave Desert, where summer heat and dry air catch visitors out. How to avoid heat illness and dehydration, protect your sleep and stay well between casinos.
Buying Medicines Online Safely: How to Spot a Fake Pharmacy
- Section : Medicines & Care
- Reading time : 3 min
- Based on : World Health Organization, US Food and Drug Administration
- Published : 2026-09-11
Many websites selling cheap prescription drugs without a prescription are illegal and some sell fakes. Warning signs, how to check a pharmacy and what to do if you are worried.
Migraine or Tension Headache? How to Tell
- Section : Conditions
- Reading time : 2 min
- Based on : NHS, World Health Organization
- Published : 2026-09-02
Tension headaches feel like a tight band; migraines throb, often on one side, with nausea and light sensitivity. Common triggers, treatment and red-flag symptoms.
Healthy Eating Basics: What the Evidence Agrees On
- Section : Everyday Health
- Reading time : 2 min
- Based on : World Health Organization, NHS Eatwell Guide
- Published : 2026-08-24
Plenty of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, less salt and sugar. The WHO healthy diet basics in plain English, plus practical tips for buffets and eating out.
Risk, Reward and Dopamine: What Your Brain Does When You Bet
- Section : Casino & Health
- Reading time : 3 min
- Based on : Peer-reviewed neuroscience research, American Psychiatric Association (DSM-5)
- Published : 2026-08-15
Dopamine is not simply a pleasure chemical. How the brain's reward system responds to uncertainty, near misses and wins, and why tiredness, alcohol and some medicines change risk-taking.
Are Generic Medicines as Good as Brand Names?
- Section : Medicines & Care
- Reading time : 3 min
- Based on : US Food and Drug Administration, European Medicines Agency
- Published : 2026-08-06
Generic medicines contain the same active ingredient as the brand and must prove they work the same way in the body. How approval works and when switching needs care.
Browse by section
Everyday Health
Sleep, hydration, exercise, handwashing and healthy eating: the everyday habits with the strongest evidence behind them.
5 guidesConditions
Common conditions explained: high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, back pain, headaches, colds and flu, with clear warning signs.
5 guidesMedicines & Care
Generic medicines, safe online pharmacies, medical bills and insurance claims, and how to get the most from a doctor's appointment.
4 guidesCasino & Health
Shift work, smoke, screen strain, the brain on risk and travel health for casino workers, players and visitors.
6 guidesCasino & Health: the other side of the gaming floor
Casinos are workplaces for many thousands of dealers, cashiers and security staff, and holiday destinations for millions of visitors. Our guides on that world use the same evidence-based approach as the rest of the site.
- Sleep and stress. Night shifts and windowless floors where it always feels like evening can push the body clock off track; the habits that protect sleep work here too.
- Eyes and posture. Long sessions at a screen, whether for work or an online poker tournament, call for regular breaks and a sensible desk set-up.
- Travel. Desert heat in Las Vegas, smoky rooms and medical care at sea on casino cruises, with practical advice rather than promises.
Five numbers worth knowing
Health advice is full of numbers. These five, for adults, come up again and again in WHO, CDC and NHS guidance. They are targets for most people rather than strict rules, and they hold whether your week is spent at a desk, on a hospital ward or on the night shift at a casino.
| Measure | Guideline for most adults |
|---|---|
| Sleep | At least 7 hours a night |
| Physical activity | 150–300 minutes of moderate activity a week, plus muscle strengthening twice a week |
| Fruit and vegetables | At least 400 g (about five portions) a day |
| Salt | Under 5 g (about a teaspoon) a day |
| Blood pressure | Ideally between 90/60 and 120/80 mmHg |
When to get help fast
Our guides explain what you can manage yourself, but some symptoms need emergency care. Call your local emergency number for:
- Signs of stroke: face drooping, arm weakness or slurred speech.
- Chest pain or pressure, especially with breathlessness, sweating or pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back.
- Severe difficulty breathing, or blue or grey lips.
- A sudden, severe "thunderclap" headache, or a headache with a stiff neck, fever and rash.
- Heat stroke: a very high temperature with confusion or collapse.
- Severe bleeding, a serious allergic reaction or someone who cannot be woken.